# Breakpoints

A breakpoint suspends the execution of a program at the location where the breakpoint is set.

Breakpoints can be enabled and disabled via the context menu in the Breakpoints View, or via the context menu in the Java Editor ruler.

- An enabled breakpoint causes a thread to suspend whenever the breakpoint is encountered. Enabled breakpoints are drawn with a blue circle [ ] and have a checkmark overlay once successfully installed. A breakpoint can only be installed when the class the breakpoint is located in has been loaded by the VM.
- A disabled breakpoint will not cause threads to suspend. Disabled breakpoints are drawn with a white circle [ ].

Breakpoints are displayed in the vertical editor ruler and in the Breakpoints view.

### Related Tasks

Adding breakpoints
Resuming the execution of suspended threads
Running and debugging
Suspending threads

### Related References

Debug preferences
Debug view
Run menu actions
Run and debug toolbar actions
Breakpoints view